PACKAGING CURING DAYS OF DOWNTIME
TSUBAKI
Tsubaki Lambda Lube Free roller chain maximises uptime for pharmaceutical blister packaging machine
For a crucial commodity such as medicine , it ’ s important to secure supply . For pharmaceutical manufacturers and patients alike , ensuring uptime across the production line is key for continued health . When a French pharmaceutical manufacturer was looking to solve a chain reliability issue on one of its packing machines , it opted for Tsubaki RS2008B Lambda Lube Free roller chain to cure days of downtime .
BLISTER PACKAGING
After manufacture , many pharmaceuticals such as tablets , capsules , granules and other products are packed into blister packaging . Each dose is contained within a ‘ bubble ’, usually formed from plastic , with a backing . This form of packaging , known as unit-dose , is effective at protecting medicines from the harmful effects of contamination , humidity and light . Therefore , it is ideal for safeguarding product quality .
Lambda Lube Free roller chains from Tsubaki eliminate the need for external lubrication thanks to oil-impregnated bushes which provide internal lubrication on blister packing and cartoning machine for pharmaceutical manufacturer .
The packaging process is carried out by specialist machines . Inside , conveyor chains with attachments are used to form the carton and insert the blister into the packaging . With so many doses requiring packaging , these chains have to withstand prolonged usage . Any downtime due to chain failure risks reducing medicine output , compromising supply and profitability .
CHAIN RELIABILITY CHALLENGES
A French pharmaceutical manufacturer operating a blister packing and cartoning machine from a leading packaging machine OEM was encountering issues with its internal conveyor chain . External lubrication from the chain was contaminating the blister packaging , which was damaging the quality of batches . This was resulting in time consuming repacking or loss of batches . Furthermore , every year the original lubricated chain required dismantling parts of the machine by three technicians to clean the chain and guides . The process resulted in machine downtime of up to three days , further reducing production output .
THE TSUBAKI CURE
The pharmaceutical manufacturer approached Tsubaki , a leading designer and manufacturer of specialised conveyor chain for packaging applications , to provide a more reliable solution for the machine . Tsubaki experts recommended a RS2008B Lambda Lube Free roller chain with special SA1 attachment .
Lambda Lube Free roller chains from Tsubaki eliminate the need for external lubrication thanks to oil-impregnated bushes which provide internal lubrication . Popular in chain applications where reducing the risk of product contamination from lubricant is imperative - such as pharmaceutical or food and beverage - Lambda Lube Free roller chains also minimise maintenance requirements due to their inherent wear resistance . Features such as ring coining , a cold deformation around the pin hole of the connecting link plate , add strength to the design and help prevent premature chain elongation , improving reliability .
PROMOTING UPTIME
With the new chains installed on the blister packing and cartoning machine , technicians at the pharmaceutical manufacturer began to feel the benefits . The solution required no disassembly of the chain and guides for cleaning , adding three days of extra packaging capacity to production schedules . Delays and losses caused by contaminated packaging were also eliminated , enhancing efficiency and output . Combined with inherently low maintenance requirements and high reliability , the Tsubaki solution greatly improved productivity . This ensured that supply of medicines could continue uninterrupted , securing profitability and patient access .
For further information , please visit tsubaki . eu
98 PECM Issue 50